Kalanchoe plant named Etna

ABSTRACT

A Kalanchoe plant named Etna, having large orange-red flowers, floriferous habit, medium growth habit, an average 12 weeks crop time, and adaptability for production in pots of varying size.

The present invention relates to a new and distinctive cultivar ofKalanchoe, plant, botanically known as Kalanchoe, and referred to by thecultivar name Etna.

The new cultivar was referred to during the breeding and selectionprocess by the designation Pueblo×Regulus and is a product of a plannedbreeding program. The basic objective of the breeding program was tocreate a new Kalanchoe cultivar having a short crop time, good foliage,good color, and good keeping qualities for a year around Kalanchoe.

The new cultivar was originated by Applicant from a cross made in acontrolled breeding program in De Lier, Netherlands. The female, or seedparent was an unpatented cultivar named Pueblo. The male, or pollenparent was a cultivar named Regulus, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No.4,817.

Etna was discovered and selected by me as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross in a controlled environment in De Lier,Netherlands. Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar by stem cuttings,as performed by me at De Lier, Netherlands, has demonstrated that thecombination of characteristics as herein disclosed for the new cultivarare firmly fixed and are retained through successive generations ofasexual reproduction.

Etna has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions.The phenotype may vary significantly with variations in environment suchas temperature, light intensity and day length. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin De Lier, Netherlands, under greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of Etna, which in combination distinguish thisKalanchoe as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Excellent orange-red flower color.

2. Medium growth habit compared to other cultivars of this type.

3. Acceptable branch.

4. Suitable for production in 8-12 cm. pots.

5. Floriferous, with large flowers.

6. To reduce peduncle elongation after flower initiation, plants must betreated with Alar or B9.

7. An average 12 weeks crop time.

Etna is most similar to Bali, disclosed in U.S. Plant Pat. No. 5,348.Etna is principally distinguished from Bali by its flower color, keepingqualities, vigor, and shorter crop time.

The accompanying photographic drawing shows a typical specimen plant ofthe new cultivar. The colors appearing in the photograph are as true aspossible with color illustrations of this type.

In the following description, colour references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Color Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are referred to. Color values are taken undernatural light conditions at approximately 12:00 p.m. noon in De Lier,Netherlands.

Botanical classification: Kalanchoe, cv. Etna.

Parentage:

Male parent.--Regulus.

Female parent.--Pueblo.

Propagation:

(A) Type cutting.--Shoot cuttings

(B) Time to root.--12 days at 21° C. summer, and 17 days winter.

(C) Rooting habit.--Many large, thick roots.

Plant description:

(A) Form.--Upright, medium-sized. Growing and scheduling practices canproduce small plants or large plants.

(B) Habit of growth.--Average growth rate for this type of plant.Generally shoots are formed at every node.

(C) Foliage description.--Leaves simple, opposite, generallysymmetrical. (1) Size: Average, full grown leaf of a flowering plant ina 11 cm. pot is 101 mm. long and 80 mm. wide. (2) Shape: Ovate, apexacute to obtuse, base truncate. (3) Texture: Glabrous, coriaceous,succulent. (4) Margin: Crenate. (5) Color: Young foliage, top side 147A,under side 147C. Mature foliage, top side 147A, under side 147C.

Flowering description:

(A) Flowering habits.--Inflorescence of each shoot is formed bydichotomous branching, starting with opening of terminal flower at mainaxis, followed by terminal flowers of the side branches of theinflorescence. Opening of new buds will continue for seven weeks ormore. Individual flowers last two weeks or more after opening.

(B) Natural flowering season.--Novenber. Flowering time under controlledday length at 25° C. in summer is 11 weeks; in winter at 20° C., 13weeks. Flowering time depends on temperature, light intensity and othergrowing conditions.

(C) Flower buds.--Oblong, developing to tubular as petals mature;sheathed with four green sepals; corolla at maturity about 13 mm. (1)Size: 14 mm. (2) Shape: Oblong. (3) Rate of Opening: Normal.

(D) Flowers borne.--Compound dichasial cyme on strong peduncles.Peduncle length up to 5 mm., depending on growing conditions andapplications of B9 or Alar.

(E) Quantity of flowers.--Very floriferous, with new buds continuing todevelop.

(F) Petals.--(1) Shape: Nearly round, apex cuspidate. (2) Color: Topside when opening, 33A, fading to 34A; under side, 35D. (3) Number andsize of petals: Four, united in corolla; petals, 7 mm. in diameter,total diameter.

(G) Reproductive organs.--(1) Stamens: Eight in number. (a) Anthershape: Flat, elliptical. (b) Filament color: Yellow. (c) Pollen color:Yellow. (2) Pistels (a) Stigma shape: Flat, crystalline. (b) Stylecolor: Greenish-white. (c) Ovaries: Four-celled, 7 mm. long, green.

Disease resistance: No known Kalanchoe diseases observed to date.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kalanchoe named Etna, asdescribed and illustrated, and particularly characterized by its largeorange-red flowers, floriferous habit, medium growth habit, an average12 weeks crop time, and by its adaptability to pots of varying size.